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Landing at Toronto (YYZ) as a new student: the study permit issuance walkthrough

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Passport

    Handed to the immigration officer at the student counter.

  • Letter of introduction

    Presented with the passport for study permit issuance.

  • Declaration card

    Handed out on arrival/in the arrival hall; fill it and keep it until exit.

  • Prescriptions for medicines

    Carry a prescription for every medicine in your luggage.

Step-by-Step

A student who landed at Toronto Pearson described the arrival process for new students; replies filled in details.

  1. Pre-boarding paperwork (historical). At the time (COVID-era rules), airlines required an ArriveCan receipt before boarding — done via the ArriveCan app. This requirement has since been dropped; treat it as historical context.

  2. Follow the new-student flow on arrival. A staff member in the arrival hall calls out for new students. Take the declaration form/card, fill it, and keep it in hand until you exit.

  3. Queue at the student immigration counters. Hand over your passport, letter of introduction, and the declaration form. Officers may ask for more proof, but in this case nothing extra was requested and no questions were asked.

  4. Wait for your permit. The officer returns your passport and marked form; you wait nearby and your name is called once the study permit is printed. Someone also announces dates/next steps (e.g. biometrics-related instructions) to the waiting group.

  5. Medicines need prescriptions. One useful exchange: carry prescriptions for every medicine you bring, as they can be checked.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Keep the declaration card in hand from arrival until exit — you need it at the immigration counter and at the door.
  • Do: Carry a prescription for every medicine in your luggage.
  • Tip: The ArriveCan-before-boarding requirement mentioned in this thread was a COVID-era rule and is no longer in force — verify current entry requirements before flying.

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